Letter diplomacy continues, Modi writes back to Sharif

Modi's letter was in response to an earlier one from Sharif in which he said he was "much satisfied" with his meeting with Modi on May 27.

TNN | Jun 14, 2014, 06.27 AM IST

Modi's letter was in response to an earlier one from Sharif in which he said he was "much satisfied" with his ... Read More

NEW DELHI: In what was described by many as letter diplomacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote back to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif saying that he looked forward to working closely with him in an atmosphere free of "confrontation and violence" and in order to chart a new course in bilateral relations.

Modi's letter was in response to an earlier one from Sharif in which he said he was "much satisfied" with his meeting with Modi on May 27. Briefing reporters about Modi's response to Sharif, foreign secretary Sujatha Singh said the "letter and sari diplomacy" helped India's attempts to have cordial ties with neighbours. She warned though that maintenance of peace along the LoC was one of the most important CBMs between India and Pakistan and also a precondition for normalization of ties.

This is significant in the light of heavy shelling by Pakistani forces in J&K's Poonch sector on Friday.

"I was also encouraged by our discussions on our bilateral relations and the convergence in our views, especially on the fact that a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region," Modi said in his letter in which he addressed Sharif as "mian sahib".

Modi said he was particularly delighted and honoured by Sharif's presence at his swearing in. "Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies," he said.

Modi thanked Sharif for the sari he sent for his mother saying she deeply appreciated the gesture. He also condemned the Karachi airport attacks in the "strongest terms" and conveyed condolences for the loss of innocent lives in "this senseless and barbaric attack".

India has accused Pakistani troops of targeting posts with mortar shelling in the Poonch sector early on Friday. Singh reminded Islamabad that peace and tranquility along the LoC would always be one of the most important CBMs between the two countries.

"On firing, I will like to reiterate that peace and tranquility on the border is of the highest importance in establishing the pre-condition for such peaceful and normal relationship," she told reporters.

"Our policy towards neighbours has always been to work towards peaceful and cordial relationship. So sari and letter diplomacy helps that," she said, as she expanded on Modi's letter.

The foreign secretary was also asked whether India and Pakistan had established contact as was decided during the meeting between Modi and Sharif last month. "We will," she replied.

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